Daines Secures $19 Billion for Ag, Including Livestock, Specialty Crop Producers During Coronavirus Outbreak
U.S. SENATE –U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that USDA will be providing $19 billion in assistance for farmers and ranchers hurting from challenging market conditions due to the Coronavirus pandemic through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). Part of the funding will go to help Montana’s cattle producers who have seen a drastic decline in cattle markets during the pandemic. This follows Daines’ request earlier this month to USDA Secretary Perdue urging immediate action for Montana’s ranchers. “Montana farmers and ranchers drive our economy and feed not only America, but the world,” Daines said. “During this Coronavirus pandemic, the
Daines: Montana Veterans Will Now Receive Direct Checks Automatically
U.S. SENATE – Today, U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced that Montana veterans and their beneficiaries who receive VA benefits will be receiving their direct checks automatically without having to do anything extra from the Department of Treasury. This follows Daines urging both Treasury and Veterans Affairs Departments to work together to get the direct checks to Montana veterans the fastest and most effective way possible. “This is great news for our Montana veterans and their families who have given so much in defense of this country,” Daines said. “Ensuring our veterans get these direct checks as quickly and easily as
Montana COVID deaths climb to 8; Daines seeks funding for senior living facilities
Coronavirus claimed another Toole County resident on Thursday, bringing the number of deaths in Montana to eight while the number of cases across the state surpassed 415, including 35 in Missoula County. Toole County has a population of less than 5,000 people, though it accounts for half of the state’s COVID-19 deaths. Missoula County has a population of 120,000 residents and has reported one death. “As we learn of the loss of another Montanan due to COVID-19, my heart aches for the community, which has been particularly impacted by this virus, and the family members of this Montanan,” Gov. Steve
Daines pleased to see business help from first round of stimulus funds
Sen. Steve Daines says it’s been “nice for a change to see government move at the speed of business”, with more than $1.4 billion flowing to Montana businesses to help with COVID-19 impacts. And he’s confident Congress can reach agreement to provide another round of assistance, now that the original pot of money has been expended. New numbers from the Small Business Administration today show more than 13,456 loans have been approved for Montana businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program. That money is used to help with payroll and operational expenses for businesses closed, or even slowed down, by the
Daines Pushes for Funding For Senior Living Facilities Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar urging the department to direct funding from the Coronavirus economic relief package to support nursing homes, skilled nursing centers, and senior living communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We must not overlook those individuals who work within the senior living community, such as those working in independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement communities,” Daines wrote. “Allocating a meaningful level of support from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to this industry is critical to the seniors who
Daines Selected by President Trump to Sit on Bipartisan White House Task Force to Safely Reopen America
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced he was chosen by President Trump to join a bipartisan White House Task Force to provide counsel to President Trump to safely reopen America in the wake of COVID-19. “I am honored to be selected by President Trump to serve on this historic task force to safely reopen America,” Daines said. We can prioritize our public health and our workers, families and small businesses. Let’s get this done for Montana and America.” For an audio statement click, HERE. One of Daines’ top priorities during the coronavirus outbreak has been to accelerate the development and manufacturing of
Daines Statement on Senate Democrats Continuing to Block New, Critical Funding for the Paycheck Protection Program
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement after Senate Democrats refused to come to the table and continued to block new funding to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) which would keep Montana small business open and workers employed during the Coronavirus pandemic. “The Paycheck Protection Program which is critical to keep Montana small businesses open and workers employed has officially run out of money,” Daines said. “Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi are holding working folks and their families hostage by blocking funding to the program. Nearly 70,000 working Montanans and over 22 million Americans have lost their
Daines Urges Approval and Production of Antibody Tests in Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic
U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines sent a letter to Vice President Pence urging the White House Coronavirus Task Force to continue prioritizing the deployment of widespread diagnostic tests and accelerating the approval and production of antibody tests, which can help play a critical role in the fight against COVID-19. “I would encourage the FDA to continue utilizing all available resources and expertise to be able to quickly move forward with approving additional antibody tests to ensure they are reliable and widely available. Just as importantly, I would also request that the White House Coronavirus Task Force develop a production
Tavern’s now qualify for COVID-19 aid
The members of Montana’s congressional delegation have announced that most taverns have been added to businesses eligible for federal assistance in the COVID-19 pandemic. Several Montana taverns were not eligible because of the income they received from gaming machines, but the U.S. Small Business Administration has expanded eligibility for aid like the Paycheck Protection Program to include taverns that make one-third of their income from gambling will now qualify as long as the profit is less than 50 percent of their total revenue and does not exceed $1 million. Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Rep. Greg Gianforte, R-Mont.,